Newspaper co. asks judge to release ID details on alleged johns

PORTLAND – MaineToday Media, Inc., the publisher of The Portland Press Herald, is asking a judge to reconsider releasing identifying information of those charged in connection with the Kennebunk prostitution case.

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By Jennifer Feals

seacoastonline.com

By Jennifer Feals

Posted Oct. 16, 2012 at 3:20 PM
Updated Oct 16, 2012 at 3:25 PM

By Jennifer Feals

Posted Oct. 16, 2012 at 3:20 PM
Updated Oct 16, 2012 at 3:25 PM

» Social News

PORTLAND – MaineToday Media, Inc., the publisher of The Portland Press Herald, is asking a judge to reconsider releasing identifying information of those charged in connection with the Kennebunk prostitution case.

The newspaper group filed a motion to intervene and a motion to reconsider in Cumberland County Superior Court on Tuesday, Oct. 16, objecting to a judge's Monday decision to withhold the addresses of individuals charged with engaging in prostitution. On Monday, police released the names of 21 men summonsed without addresses, but re-released the names Tuesday with middle initials in an effort to lessen confusion. Police have said there will be additional charges, which will come in batches.

Police say those charged utilized the services of Alexis Wright, 29, of Wells, who is believed to have videotaped sexual encounters, allegedly without the knowledge of those being filmed. The invasion of privacy led to the judge's ruling as some of those charged with engaging a prostitute could be victims of that alleged crime.

Through its attorney Sigmund Schutz, of Preti Flaherty in Portland, MaineToday Media, Inc., argued that the information is a matter of public record, that there is no legal basis for keeping the addresses of those charged confidential, and that while those whose names are released might be victims they are also alleged perpetrators. If the court declines to reconsider releasing addresses, Schutz asks that it direct the town to release some other identifying information, like date of birth, age or the town in which they live.

“It bears noting that if certain of the individuals who have been charged with engaging Alexis Wright's services as a prostitute had their privacy invaded by her in the course of those encounters, the invasion of privacy problem these individuals now have is one of their own making,” Shutz wrote in his motion filed Tuesday. “Having put themselves in a position to have their privacy invaded by committing a criminal act, the individuals in question are not in a great position to argue that their status as alleged crime victims should trump their status as alleged criminals.”

Schutz also asked the court to consider the impact that releasing the names, without identifying information, has had on individuals with the same name. He also added that it is inevitable that the addresses of those charged will become public throughout the judicial process.

“This case has been a major story in Maine and even some national media. If names are released without addresses, anyone who lives in or near Southern Maine and happens to have the same name as an individual who has been charged with engaging the services of Alexis Wright will suffer substantial damage to their reputation that would not occur if the addresses were released,” Schutz said. “It is unclear how such a person could undo this reputational damage if the address of the person whose name they happen to share cannot be made public.”